A middlesbrough social club was burgled by one of its members, a court heard.

Lee Appleby, 29, broke into the Buffs Club and "ransacked" the bar area.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs told Teesside Crown Court that he was caught in the act by club steward Mick Platts, who described him as being "off his head" on drink or drugs.

Appleby, of Gribdale Road, Middlesbrough, admitted the burglary and was jailed for nine months when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentence yesterday. Recorder Jeremy Richardson QC said Appleby had been caught red-handed by the steward, who knew him, in the midst of this "ridiculous rampage".

Paul Cleasby, mitigating, said Appleby was a member of the club and wanted to publicly apologise for his behaviour.

Death after surgery

A WOMAN died from kidney failure after suffering toxic shock, a Teesside inquest heard. Ann O'Neil, 66, from Cockermouth, Cumbria died on November 30 last year at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, after having coronary bypass surgery. Pathologist Dr Mustansir Nurbai said the cause of death was acute renal failure, due to toxic shock caused by an infection. Teesside coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict of misadventure.